Lubricated motion-picture film and method of making the same



Jan. 8, 1929. 1,697,858

A. FIEDLER LUBRICATED MOTION PICTURE FILM AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed May 26, 1924 Pavia/z INVENTOR A ZberiFiedZer Patented Jan. 8, 1929.

UNITED STATES ALBERT FIEDLER, OF WEEHAWKEN, NEW JERSEY.

LUBBICATED MOTION-PICTURE FILM AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME.

Application filed May 26,

My invention relates to motion picture films having a lubricant along the perforated edges thereof to enable them to move easily through the projecting machine. More particularly m invention contemplates a motion picture ii 111 of the kind described in which the applied lubricant will coherc with and on drying become incorporated in the gelatine surface of the film so that it will be incapable of being rubbed off by objects with which it comes into contact.

It has been the experience of the motion picture industry that prints of motion pictures made at a considerable costupon celluloid strips are frequently torn while they are being run through the projecting machine in the threatres or exhibition houses. This tearin ordinarily occurs at the edge of the celluloid print which contains a'series of perforations designed to accommodate the cogs of the sprocket wheel that moves. the film through the machine.

vided with an opening corresponding to that in the machine head, closes against the film in order to compel it to move evenly before the light. The interval between the gate and the machine head is hardly greater at the perforated edges than the thickness of the film and the film is in constant contact with both as it moves through.- The portions of the gate and of the machine head that come in contact with the celluloid film tend to become extremely hot and remnants of gelatine from the face of the films adhere to the gate. or to the machine head and are baked hard and frequently carbonized. After a period of.

The film, when it is placed in the projecting machine, is drawn 1924. Serial No. 715,948.

plied at the time the print is completed in the laboratory and before it is released for exhibition purposes. It is a further object of the invention to provide a process for applying this coating of lubricant to the said perforated edges of the film. To thisend,.I prefer to use a compound of which the base is a gelatinous material and an oil, preferably gelatine and cocoanut oil, as described in my copendin application, Serial Number 41,202, filed Ju y 2nd, 1925, which forms a division of this application. When the mixture is thoroughly stirred the compound is ready to be applied to the film. Other gelatinous materials, however, may be usedwith very favorable results. Among these materials I may mention agar-agar and plastic materials such as celluloid. gum arabic, shellac and the like. Similarly instead of cocoanut oil,- I may use with good effect a number of other vegetable or animal oils. Alcohol ma be replaced by any easily volatilized material.

This application may be made in any known manner, as for mstance', by causing the edges of the film to run through a bath of the com ound while it is still hot. The material co eres with the gelatine surface of the film and becomes apparently a part thereof but does not affect the unsurfaced celluloid at the back of the film. When the film is withdrawn from the bath the composition cools and the alcohol contained in it causes speedy drying by its evaporation and the edges of the film are then well lubricated and so dry that the compound will not rub on to the hands or upon the objects with which it comes in contact.

It is nevertheless very slippery and enables the film to slide smoothly throu h the narrow passage between the gate an the head of the projecting machine. 95

It frequently happens that in removing the film from the bath the lubricant fills the pertorations of the film and if allowed to dry would impair the movement of the film through the projecting machine. This, how ever, can easily be avoided by passing the perforated edges through a jet of air 'while the lubricant is still in a moist condition so that the perforations are blown clear of this surplus material. 7

Furthermore, it is not necessary to apply the composition to the film while hot as it may be desirable to apply the liquid cool or in a slightly warm state to the film at the time the photographically sensitive gelatine coating is placed upon the base thereof in which case it will set together with the gelatinecoating. It may also be applied. in a cool state to the finished film, when, for example, before the film is printed, the application of heat might be injurious.

The drawing shows a portion of a film which has been lubricated according to my invention; the legends upon which designate the various parts.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

.1. A motion picture film comprising a celluloid strip, a sensitive photographic coating on one side thereof, except at the edges, and a coating of a lubricating material consisting of gelatin and oil dissolved in water and alcohol on both edges of the sensitive side.

2. A motion picture film comprising a photographically non sensitive base, a photo-' graphically non SeIlSllZlWZ lubricant consisting of gelatin and oil dissolved in water. and alcohol coated directly on the edges of said base and a photographic-ally sensitive coat-- ing on one side between said coatings of lubricant.

3. The rocess of lubricating motion picture films y heating a compound of gelatine and oil dissolved in water and alcohol; then when the temperature of the solution is sufiiciently high to soften the gelatine surface of the film, applying the compound to the edges thereof and allowing it to dry thereon; whereby the compound is incorporated into the gelatine surface of the film.

4. The process of lubricating motion picture films by applying a compound consisting of gelatine and oil dissolved in water and alcohol to the edges of the film.

5. A motion picture film comprising a celluloid strip, one side of which bears a central path having a sensitive photographic coating and paths at the edges of said sensitive path coated with lubricating material consisting of gelatin and oil dissolved in water and alcohol.

6. A motion picture film comprising a base of photographlcally nonsensitive material, coatings of lubricating material consisting of gelatin and oil dissolved in water and alcohol atfixed to said base at the edges and on one side a coating photographically printed between said coatings of lubricating material.

7. A motion picture film having coatings of lubricating material consisting of gelatin and oil dissolved in water and alcohol on both edges and on one side acoating of photographically sensitive material between said coatings of lubricating material.

8. A motion picture film having coatings of lubricating material consisting of gelatin and oil dissolved in water and alcohol on both edges and on one side a coating of material bearing a photographic print between said coatings of lubricating material.

In witness whereof, I have subscribed my name hereto this 15th day of May, 1924.

ALBERT FIEDLER. 

